The Oilers struggles early in the season bring some familiar items from years previous, including the extreme value of high draft picks. With the Oilers currently 28th overall in the NHL standings, a top 3 selection is possible (if things continue). How valuable is a pick that high? Very valuable. How good is this season's crop? Early returns are mixed.

EARLY TOP 5

The top 5 is an interesting lot, and of course this is so early that we'll expect to see all kinds of movement in and out of the top 10 as the season rolls along.

C Sam Reinhart 6.01, 185. A two-way center (righthanded) who can deliver offensively (his 15, 9-18-27 with Kootenay is an impressive start, "in the range" with other top end players of recent vintage). He's from a hockey family, you can't find a negative word about the kid. Extremely likely to be drafted by Buffalo unless Tambo wants to help at the lottery. I spoke to Guy Flaming about him yesterday, and he is regarded as an outstanding prospect with impact offensive potential. (Reinhart photo at the top of this article courtesy Lisa McRitchie, all rights reserved)

D Aaron Eklbad 6.04, 217.OHL Prospects: Ekblad is a tower of power on the blueline. He's a physical specimen that is incredibly difficult to play against in the corners and in front of the net. Offensively, he's still growing and gaining confidence in his ability to run the transition game, but he's made great strides on the powerplay where he looks more confident distributing the puck and using his shot.

C Willie Nylander 5.10, 163. Elite Prospects: A highly skilled player offensively. Nylander skates very well, has impressive hands and is excellent at handling the puck at high speeds.Hockey sense is very impressive and he likes to shoot the puck a lot, but is also capable of delivering perfect passes. A very agile player that protects the puck well and skates hard in the offensive zone. On the other hand, his defensive game needs some work. Not a selfish player, but at times he tends to hang onto the puck for too long, instead of making the easier play. Has the tools and skills to lead his team in all offensive aspects.

C Leon Draisaitl 6.01, 209. The "German Gretzky" would be a good fit in Edmonton. Kris Baker: Draisaitl plays the game at high pace, using a slick handle and elusiveness to break into the zone. He shows good strength on the puck, and isn't afraid of using his body to make plays at both ends of the ice. Draisaitl's passing skills make him a dangerous threat when chased. If he continues to fire the puck more often, Draisaitl could pile up the points in his draft year and cement his status as a top-five pick

L Sam Bennett 6.00, 178.OHL Prospects: Bennett is simply a fantastic all around talent. He's been consistently one of the most dangerous players in the OHL this season (10 goals, 10 assists in 10 games). If there's a job that needs to get done, Bennett is the man to do it. His offensive instincts are terrific and he's great at finding holes in the defense, which will allow him to score his share of goals at the next level. But he's also a terrific playmaker who can assume that bull in a china shop mentality to make plays. His work along the boards and on the forecheck is also excellent. As a penalty killer and defensive player, his game is growing leaps and bounds, which suggests that he profiles as an above average two-way player moving forward. TSN scout Craig Button recently suggested that he could challenge for first overall, a concept that isn't incredibly far fetched.

FUTURE VALUE OF THE PICK

In previous seasons, the Oilers were looking at either moving up (last season) or adding picks (Taylor AND Tyler) but this coming season may be one in which Edmonton's pick is long gone.

Why? If Craig MacTavish is trying to pry an upgrade for the current Oilers then the first round pick is probably going to be asked after by other NHL clubs doing business with the Oil.

The third overall pick has delivered an outstanding young player in recent seasons:

2008: D Zach Bogosian

2009: C Matt Duchene

2010: D Erik Gudbranson

2011: L Jonathan Huberdeau

2012: C Alex Galchenyuk

2013: L Jonathan Drouin

OVERALL QUALITY OF THE PROSPECTS

Its early, but sources have suggested that the 2014 crop of prospects is not as deep as 2013, especially the top of the chart:

Redline Report: "we don't feel the talent at the very top end of this class rivals last year's star studded crop."

We should keep in mind that the draft year is just coming into view and not in complete focus. There's every chance the top 5 above will change order and others may work their way up to the top.

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

It's a delicate balance. Craig MacTavish may have been mulling over trading the first round pick in 2014, but with that pick squarely in the lottery it may be too valuable to trade. That said, can the Oilers afford to put an emphasis on another high draft pick? Is it time to trade this pick BECAUSE it has such great (potential) value?

We'll see. A month from now the Oilers could be out of lottery territory and the point may be moot. Or they could be focused on the draft and next year. The draft pick--and the season--are in the balance.

Early.

Lowetide has been one of the Oilogosphere's shining lights for over a century. You can check him out here at OilersNation and at lowetide.ca. He is also the host of Lowdown with Lowetide weekday mornings 10-noon on TSN 1260.

Did Lowe and Co. mess up terribly by hiring Tambellini and the Quinn/Renney duo?

Yes. A thousand times, yes.

Did Tambi destroy any chance of success for any coach during his reign by refusing to make the improvements necessary to develop a winning team and culture?

He sure did.

Can this, as well, be pinned on Kevin Lowe?

Yep, sure can.

Does this then automatically make the hiring of MacT, and subsequently, Eakins a bad decision?

Not at all.

We're just back to square one - where we should have been 3 years ago - with a few more guns in our holsters.

Now feel free to blame this completely on Kevin Lowe. If the fans had the power to eject him from his office for wasting 3 years of our lives and hard-earned cash, my Doc Marten would be the first boot print on his a$$.

The fact is we're past it now. We have a better team, a better GM and a better coach. Firing Lowe in no way changes our current circumstances.

They hit the reset button. It has been, and will be, an ugly start. But once this group can start to gel and find some stability, and play responsibly enough that the swarm system becomes effective, this team will be scary good. Don't be so pessimistic.

Once we do become successful, you can fully expect Lowe to be front-and-center, flashing his rings and taking credit for everything.. and by then you won't even care.

If there's any year to trade a 1st round pick for established talent, it's this year. All these guys are debatable. No consensus #1.

I think that's a great point, but the other part of it is contract. Along with the idea of dealing the pick for a currently useful NHL player is the benefit of not having yet another bonus filled contract (the Oilers have a bunch of them again this year).

The next question: do you spend it now for your need, or wait until the moments on the draft floor just before your turn?

Come back from insanity Doug. Boyd Gordan an marginal upgrade on Belanger??? The Belanger triangle was the worst thing I've every seen in hockey. If you stayed away from players with concussion history you'd have almost no one to choose from and you'd be excluding players like Crosby. The Perron trade was a massive win. Pajaarvi's injured at the moment too I believe. Belov has been one of our two best defenseman and we got him for free. Horcoff was about moving salary to make way for other deals. People gripe about moving Horcoff and not moving Hemsky... GM's don't care about what MacT says, it's about the position he is in. They didn't low ball him because he said he'd make bold moves but because he's a rookie GM for a team that's trying to turn the corner after a long dark period. He's made it abundantly clear that he won't make stupid deals that he gets ripped off in. That hasn't stopped the sharks from circling. It doesn't matter what he says. So far he has done so much more good than bad. If you expect him to fix ten problems on the team in one offseason then you're out to lunch.

Come back from insanity Doug. Boyd Gordan an marginal upgrade on Belanger??? The Belanger triangle was the worst thing I've every seen in hockey. If you stayed away from players with concussion history you'd have almost no one to choose from and you'd be excluding players like Crosby. The Perron trade was a massive win. Pajaarvi's injured at the moment too I believe. Belov has been one of our two best defenseman and we got him for free. Horcoff was about moving salary to make way for other deals. People gripe about moving Horcoff and not moving Hemsky... GM's don't care about what MacT says, it's about the position he is in. They didn't low ball him because he said he'd make bold moves but because he's a rookie GM for a team that's trying to turn the corner after a long dark period. He's made it abundantly clear that he won't make stupid deals that he gets ripped off in. That hasn't stopped the sharks from circling. It doesn't matter what he says. So far he has done so much more good than bad. If you expect him to fix ten problems on the team in one offseason then you're out to lunch.

Like it or not, Dougs, evaluation on MacT's first year on the job is pretty much dead on.

Gordan vs Belanger...MacT had a guy down on the farm who is at least 80% as good a player at one tenth the contract in Acro, and didn't even know it.

Not saying MacT didn't try, but in the real world only results count.

Cap team, talking about draft picks after one month into season,after being in the ditch for seven years... kinda tells the story.

Whoever started the this years top end crop is not as good as other years failed massively. These are some great players. If the oilers continue to struggle and will have a top five pick the must not trade it unless the return is clearly a win for the oilers. Keep the top end talent coming in. You have to pay a dear price for it.

I didn't catch the interview on 1260, but I heard that Byflugin(sp?) might be on the block, if that's true MacT better get on that ASAP lol

Totally agree.

If Oilers decide to part with the pick, they should trade as early as possible for a bona fide first paring D man. It's a no loss case for oilers to trade early. If the team continues to suck, they will at least get face value for the pick by acquiring a top 2 D man. If the team turns around later half of the season, the trade could be a major win!!

First NHL Edmonton Oiler draft pick
First Edmonton Oiler goal in NHL
5 Stanley Cups as an Oiler
First NHL Edmonton Oiler drafted Player to become GM
First NHL Edmonton Oiler drafted Player to become President

Sounds like he should be in the rafters to me. Except... Why isn't Sather there?

First NHL Edmonton Oiler draft pick
First Edmonton Oiler goal in NHL
5 Stanley Cups as an Oiler
First NHL Edmonton Oiler drafted Player to become GM
First NHL Edmonton Oiler drafted Player to become President

Sounds like he should be in the rafters to me. Except... Why isn't Sather there?

He should be, but I think its because hes still workin for the Rangers, I could be wrong though

I just read the Staples article and just shake my head. Amateur city these guys are. I'm in management and before any new initiative or systems change takes place we perform our due diligence, look at potential scenarios and plan accordingly. This is why winning teams win, and why sh*tshows like the Oiler remain stuck in sh*t. With the fanbase at a boiling point, and this being arguably one of the most important years in franchise history, how can these types of amateur mistakes be allowed to happen. This one is on MacT, and my respect for him just slipped....a lot.

Did Lowe and Co. mess up terribly by hiring Tambellini and the Quinn/Renney duo?

Yes. A thousand times, yes.

Did Tambi destroy any chance of success for any coach during his reign by refusing to make the improvements necessary to develop a winning team and culture?

He sure did.

Can this, as well, be pinned on Kevin Lowe?

Yep, sure can.

Does this then automatically make the hiring of MacT, and subsequently, Eakins a bad decision?

Not at all.

We're just back to square one - where we should have been 3 years ago - with a few more guns in our holsters.

Now feel free to blame this completely on Kevin Lowe. If the fans had the power to eject him from his office for wasting 3 years of our lives and hard-earned cash, my Doc Marten would be the first boot print on his a$$.

The fact is we're past it now. We have a better team, a better GM and a better coach. Firing Lowe in no way changes our current circumstances.

They hit the reset button. It has been, and will be, an ugly start. But once this group can start to gel and find some stability, and play responsibly enough that the swarm system becomes effective, this team will be scary good. Don't be so pessimistic.

Once we do become successful, you can fully expect Lowe to be front-and-center, flashing his rings and taking credit for everything.. and by then you won't even care.

I am as crazily optimistic as the most deluded Oiler fan, but i fail to see what you base your cheery outlook on. We have the same problem in goal we had three years ago - specifically, a streaky #1 goalie who rarely wins games for a porous defence, soft but skilled wingers who lack toughness and the compete level necessary for todays NHL, and the same boys on the bus in charge. What's different? A GM who has never GM'd in the NHL? and who still thinks you improve team toughness by signing a face puncher that can't skate?

Let me ask you, do you expect the Oilers will win against Detroit Saturday? Really? The best we can hope for is another gong show like we saw in LA, getting outshot by a 3-1 margin, playing five on five like we are killing a penalty and hoping whatever goalie is in net will be able to drag us into OT.

Most NHL teams expect to win their hme games. Calgary's loss to the Leafs this week was their first regulation loss at home this year.Oilers have yet to win in regulation this year.

I'm just facing reality. With this management in place this team will never turn it around.

I think that's a great point, but the other part of it is contract. Along with the idea of dealing the pick for a currently useful NHL player is the benefit of not having yet another bonus filled contract (the Oilers have a bunch of them again this year).

The next question: do you spend it now for your need, or wait until the moments on the draft floor just before your turn?

Along with what David S. said, I think MacT has to really define what kind of move he's looking for and jump on it when it comes up. If that's next week, at the deadline, or at the draft, so be it.

Quick - the move has to be made looking at next year, you're right, but it's foolish to tank for all of the reasons David S. suggests.

Oh god. The season just started. After a long, long, long summer of anticipation. And we're already in Excited Last Place Hockey (ELPH) mode. No. No. Nooooooooo!

Isn't it Exciting Last Place Hockey?

Whatever it is, it is brutal to be an Oiler hockey fan. I have to feel sorry for the players, even if they have huge contracts. To anticipate that every game is a probable loss has to be terribly discouraging and demotivating.

As some of the media has bought forth : Oilers fail to move forward because of the inability/under development of the fab 6 to move forward in their development . As they put it - it doesn't make much difference who they surround them with , as it's up to them to now carry the team to wins , not the other way around now . It's not happening and the blame lies with fab 6 for not taking over . Ruff giving them limited minutes was a good indicator of the stages they were at .

The Fab six is why we are where we are at . This season has seen them in arrested development or stagnant at best -thus team has very few wins . Is the Fab6 good enough or should they all be reassessed in light of results garnered ? They simply don't seem any where near capable of taking team to another level . Will they in the future - not on present course of arrested development .

The fab 6 as you call them would on any other team still be put in positions to succeed. That is they would be surrounded by veterans teaching them the ins and outs of winning. KLowe decided in his wisdom that youth needed no mentor. The kids will eventually learn what it takes to win mentally but also physically( they are still filling out). We are where we are because of managements unwillingness to address these needs. KLowe must go.

As some of the media has bought forth : Oilers fail to move forward because of the inability/under development of the fab 6 to move forward in their development . As they put it - it doesn't make much difference who they surround them with , as it's up to them to now carry the team to wins , not the other way around now . It's not happening and the blame lies with fab 6 for not taking over . Ruff giving them limited minutes was a good indicator of the stages they were at .

The Fab six is why we are where we are at . This season has seen them in arrested development or stagnant at best -thus team has very few wins . Is the Fab6 good enough or should they all be reassessed in light of results garnered ? They simply don't seem any where near capable of taking team to another level . Will they in the future - not on present course of arrested development .

We kept suggesting what Kevin L should do to improve the team, did he ever care to listen? Does he even read this column??? No, he doesn't, even if he did, he won't, because he is the president, we are not, simple as that, got it? He is the Brain, ours simply full of mush, understand? Why else would he hire his buddy MacT to run his outfit?! Hah, now you see it, don't you????